# Sign Regulations in Springfield, Massachusetts

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Springfield, Massachusetts, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Springfield, Massachusetts (MA)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/massachusetts/springfield
- **Data last verified:** 2025-04-22
- **Source:** [ecode360 municipal code](https://ecode360.com/14658395#14658395)

## At a glance

Springfield, Massachusetts regulates 17 sign types across 1 zoning district. Canopy Over Public Ways in the General Regulations For All Zones zoning district are capped at No part (except supports) less than 7'6" above sidewalk tall and Canopy shall be not more than 6 feet wider than width of entrance which it serves wide (Sec. §118-4, §118-5, §118-6). Most commercial signs in Springfield require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (1 zone)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 17 | No part less than 10 feet nor more than 18 feet above the curb | Up to 200 sq ft per $5,000 bonded increment | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Awning | Lowest part at least 7 feet above the sidewalk; no part extends beyond the outer line of the sidewalk | — | — | — | — | Must be safely and securely attached to the building; may project over public streets or highways if all requirements are met | — | §118-1, §118-2 |
| Canopy Over Public Way | No part (except supports) less than 7'6" above sidewalk | — | Canopy shall be not more than 6 feet wider than width of entrance which it serves | — | — | Projecting into/over public ways; may have posts 1' back from street curbing or outside edge of sidewalk (when tree belt present) | — | §118-4, §118-5, §118-6 |
| Projecting Marquee | No part less than 10 feet nor more than 18 feet above the curb | — | — | — | — | Projecting into/over public way | — | §140-13 |
| Projecting Sign (over public way, >12 inches) | — | Up to 200 sq ft per $5,000 bonded increment | — | — | — | Projecting into or over a public way (>12" projection) | — | §140-13 |
| Projecting Sign (≤12 inch projection) | — | — | — | — | — | Projecting into or over a public way (≤12 inch projection) | — | §140-13 |
| Warning Sign (Water Hazards) | — | — | — | — | — | At every established entrance to a body of water, or within 20 feet of the water’s banks, in highly visible areas | — | §213-4 |
| Junk Shop or Pawn Shop Sign | — | — | — | — | — | In a suitable and conspicuous place on shop | — | §270-4 |
| Fire Safety Sign/Marking | — | Minimum 24 inches by 24 inches | Minimum 24 inches | — | — | Front of property, elsewhere as Commissioner requires, at/above second floor level, not over doors/windows/openings; visible from street; sides and rear if required | — | §285-11 |

## Prohibited signs in Springfield

- No person shall paint, mark or write on, or post or otherwise affix any handbill or sign to or upon any sidewalk, crosswalk, curb, curbstone, street lamp post, hydrant, public tree belt, public terrace, tree, shrub, tree stake or guard, railroad trestle, electric light or power or telephone or telegraph pole, or wire appurtenance thereof, or upon any fixture of the fire alarm or police telegraph system or upon any lighting system, public bridge, drinking fountain, street sign, traffic sign or parking sign.
- No sign or marquee that projects into or over a public way more than 12 inches shall be placed or maintained without a permit and bond as required.
- No permit for a canopy projecting into and over a public way shall be given unless a $5,000 bond is provided to indemnify the City.
- Advertising is not allowed on canopies projecting over public ways except for the building name in letters not more than five inches high.
- No part of any awning or canopy over public ways may be lower than specified heights above the sidewalk (awnings at least 7 feet, canopies at least 7 feet 6 inches, project marquee signs 10 feet minimum).
- No person shall place or maintain any advertising sign, device, or any other sign in, on, or over any sidewalk or tree belt of any public street without a written license from the Director of Public Works and a bond.
- Sign permits are not transferable; new owners must obtain their own permit and bond, and the former owner remains liable until this is done.
- Failure to comply with permit/license requirements or related rules is grounds for suspension or revocation of permits/licenses.

## Signs exempt from permit in Springfield

- Nothing in §118-9 applies to the installation of tag sales, noncommercial signs, a metal plaque or plate or individual letters or figures in a sidewalk commemorating any historical, cultural or artistic event, location or personality, or any temporary notice for which the Director of Public Works has granted a written permit.
- The bond requirement for licenses to place or maintain in the sidewalk flagpole receptacles and poles for patriotic purposes does not apply, provided specific physical requirements are met (receptacle and covering no more than 1.5 inches diameter and flush with sidewalk).
- The permit and bond requirements for signs and marquees projecting into or over a public way do not apply to those projecting 12 inches or less over the public way.
- The requirements do not apply to pole wires, conduits and appurtenances of railroad, railway, telegraph, water, gas, electric, heat and power companies.
- Alteration or removal is not compelled for any sign or marquee legally erected prior to the passage of these ordinances, except as to safety.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- A permit for a projecting marquee or sign (projecting more than 12 inches) requires submission of plans and scale drawings, to be approved by the Commissioner.
- Permits for canopies projecting over public ways require submittal of an application with scale drawings describing location, design, construction, and methods of support.
- Permit applications for signs over public ways require submission in triplicate, with copies distributed to relevant departments (Commissioner, City Treasurer, applicant).
- For placement of advertising signs or devices in or over sidewalks/tree belts of public streets, a written license (with associated bond) from the Director of Public Works is required.
- Approval of sign location applications is performed by the Board on Signs, which must approve or disapprove each notice from the Division of Highways, Department of Public Works.

## Full detail

Complete sign requirements for Springfield, including every field PermitPal tracks for each sign type, are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Springfield+MA&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-springfield

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